John Lewis to champion local UK suppliers in new ‘Locally Made’ collaborations
John Lewis is to launch a new ‘Locally Made’ initiative where it brings together locally designed and made products from across the country in a dedicated area in its shops.
Due to launch in the new John Lewis Leeds store when it opens on 20 October, the first area will stock over 120 products from 11 local Yorkshire suppliers including Masons Yorkshire Gin and the Harrogate Candle Company. All of the suppliers will be based within a 30 mile radius of Leeds. The products will also be available on the John Lewis website to make them available to shoppers across the country.
Over the next few months, John Lewis shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff will also increase their range of locally made products, followed by new shops opening next year in Oxford and Westfield London.
The project is in partnership with Harrogate-based The Great British Exchange which launched in 2014 and sources artisanal products from new designers, established makers, independent businesses and factories from across the UK and provides direct support for independent suppliers.
Anna Rigby, head of buying for home accessories and gifts at John Lewis, said: “We know that our customers are interested in the provenance of products and as a British retailer, we’re proud to support British design and quality by sourcing locally. Our Made Locally campaign, in partnership with The Great British Exchange, will help us strengthen our existing local supplier base and inevitably champion more British designers and manufacturers.”
Matthew Hopkins, managing director at The Great British Exchange, added: “I’m very proud of our partnership with John Lewis, which creates fantastic ongoing opportunities for more locally sourced products to be sold in one of the UK’s most prestigious retailers.”
